Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

Just as construction in Hanyuan was in full swing, trade networks were expanding, and technology exports were progressing steadily, an urgent military report from the grasslands, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattered the tranquility and peace of Zhenbei City.

The messenger, covered in blood, rushed into the city lord's mansion and presented a personal letter from Batu, the Khan of the Canglang tribe, requesting aid.

The letter was written in illegible handwriting, and even stained with traces of blood, clearly indicating that it was written in a state of extreme haste and anger.

"To my adoptive father, Khan: Dramatic changes have occurred in the northern desert!"

Ögedei Khan, a remnant of Temujin, gathered the Naiman, Merkit, and other remaining tribes. With secret funding from an unknown force in the Western Regions, he commanded tens of thousands of troops and launched a surprise attack on our tribe's "Golden Tent River" pasture in the northern desert three days ago.

Our troops were caught off guard and suffered heavy casualties. Two hundred thousand head of cattle and sheep were plundered, and thousands of our people were taken captive. Zuo Guli Wang was killed in battle! The rebels are rampant and have already approached Langjuxu Mountain.

Batu has mobilized all his troops and vassal soldiers, vowing to fight the rebels to the death.

However, the enemy outnumbers us and is well-equipped, so a quick victory may be difficult.

"I implore my adoptive father, Khan, to remember our father-son oath and extend a helping hand to save my Canglang tribe from this perilous situation! Batu bows his head in tears!"

Xiao Chen put down the letter, his face ashen. The court officials, both civil and military, were completely silent; the atmosphere was extremely tense.

"Temujin... Ögedei..." Xiao Chen murmured the two names.

He had thought that with Temujin's defeat and death, his remaining forces were no longer a threat.

Unexpectedly, in just a few months, under the integration of his son Ögedei, it revived in the northern desert and made such a ruthless move, directly attacking the most fertile and remote pasture of the Canglang tribe in the northern desert.

"Your Highness, this matter is of utmost importance."

Wang Dashan said in a deep voice, "The Golden Horde Pasture is one of the most important winter pastures for the Canglang Tribe, with a large number of livestock. If we lose this battle, the Canglang Tribe will be severely weakened, and it may even trigger internal turmoil and cause vassal tribes to become disloyal. If Ögedei Khan annexes the Canglang Tribe and unifies the northern desert, his military might will surely point directly at our northern border of Hanyuan. At that time, we will face a steppe empire that is more powerful and more unified than that of the Temujin era."

"An unknown force from the Western Regions?"

Zhao Tie astutely grasped this key point in the letter: "Night Owl had previously provided some scattered intelligence, stating that the Ögedei Khan's tribe had recently upgraded its equipment, with a large number of sophisticated iron armors and scimitars appearing, and even small catapults. At the time, we only thought it was the result of looting, but now it seems that someone is probably... providing financial support behind the scenes."

"check!"

Xiao Chen said coldly, "Use all of Night Owl's resources in the Western Regions and find out who is supporting Ögedei Khan! Is it the kingdoms of the Western Regions, or... something further away? Or even... the King of Yong?"

The last three words sent a chill down everyone's spine. Although the Yong King's power in the Northern Territory had been completely eradicated, given his personality and strength, it was entirely possible that he could collude with external forces to create trouble for Han Yuan from another direction.

"Yes!" Zhao Tie accepted the order.

"Your Highness, the most urgent matter is how to deal with the Canglang tribe's request for help."

Zhang Meng spoke up, "If we save them, how should we save them? If we don't save them, the alliance will break, Han Yuan will lose its grassland barrier, and it will lose credibility with the world."

"Save them, we must save them."

Xiao Chen said decisively, "But we will not send a large army on a distant expedition to the northern desert. It is far from the base of Hanyuan, and supplies are difficult to obtain. Moreover, the grasslands are vast, and the enemy situation is unclear. If we send troops rashly, we will play right into the enemy's hands, and we may even get bogged down in a quagmire."

He walked to the huge map of the northern border, his finger tracing the Wolf Dwelling Mountain and the Golden Tent River, finally stopping at the boundary between the Cold Abyss and the grassland.

"Order: 1. Immediately open the border to the Canglang tribe, allowing their people and livestock to enter our territory for refuge, and provide them with food, fodder, and medical assistance. Relocate the herders and remaining livestock of the Jinzhangchuan region inland as much as possible, implement a scorched-earth policy, and leave no supplies for Ögedei Khan."

"Second, military aid, using supplies as soldiers. Immediately allocate 2,000 sets of iron armor, 5,000 steel swords, 1,000 crossbows, 100,000 crossbow bolts, and 500 loads of medical supplies from the stockpile, and have Zhang Meng lead 1,000 elite cavalry to escort them to the Canglang tribe's royal court as quickly as possible. At the same time, dispatch a military advisory group of 100 people to accompany the army to assist Batu Khan in formulating tactics, training soldiers, and scouting enemy positions."

"Third, strengthen the defense of the northern border. Wang Dashan, you will be stationed in the northern border. Deploy troops from Panshi Camp, Heishanwei, and Qinghe Town to strengthen border patrols, block all passages to the northern desert, and guard against infiltration by Ögedei's spies or attacks by small groups of bandits. At the same time, mobilize all military garrisons and outposts to enter a state of combat readiness."

"Fourth, economic and intelligence warfare. Old Han, immediately cut off trade with all tribes suspected of supporting Ögedei, especially salt, iron, and tea. Zhao Tie, have Night Owl spread the word on the grasslands that Ögedei is colluding with outsiders, betraying the interests of the grasslands, and that all the spoils of war belong to the Western Regions masters, thereby dividing their alliance. At the same time, offer a large reward for the heads of Ögedei and his core generals."

"Fifth, diplomatic pressure. Send envoys to Northern Yan to warn Murong Han that if he dares to take advantage of the situation or secretly support Ögedei, the Hanyuan Iron Cavalry will crush Northern Yan. At the same time, contact other neutral tribes on the grasslands and promise that if they remain neutral or lean towards the Canglang tribe, Hanyuan will increase trade quotas and provide protection."

The orders were clear, decisive, and comprehensive, covering all aspects of military, economic, diplomatic, and intelligence matters.

With the generals somewhat reassured, the prince did not panic because his allies were in danger, nor did he back down because of the approaching enemy. Instead, he adopted the most rational, effective, and in line with Han Yuan's interests.

"Remember," Xiao Chen surveyed his generals, his gaze sharp, "this battle, ostensibly to save the Canglang tribe, is in reality to protect the northern border of Hanyuan. We must show the steppe people that those who submit to us prosper, and those who oppose us perish. Following Hanyuan means having salt to eat, iron to use, and safety; following Ögedei means only death, and even being scorned by the steppe. This battle is not only about helping Batu win, but also about demonstrating Hanyuan's power and establishing its absolute authority in the northern border!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" The generals responded in unison, their killing intent palpable.

Once the order was given, Han Yuan's massive war machine instantly sprang into action at high speed.

Truckloads of military equipment and supplies were pulled out of the warehouse, elite troops marched toward the border, and messengers rushed to all directions.

The shadow of war once again looms over the northern border, but this time, Han Yuan is no longer a bystander or a passive defender, but is about to take the initiative to intervene and reshape the order of the grasslands with swift and decisive measures.

The upheaval in the northern desert presents both a crisis and an opportunity.

Xiao Chen intends to use this opportunity to further penetrate the heart of the grasslands with Han Yuan's power, and even... bring the northern desert under Han Yuan's control.